TENINO, Wash. — Level 3 sex offenders who have completed their prison sentence could be moving into transitional housing in Tenino as early as next week. But residents in the rural community said no one told them until the 11th hour and now they're pushing back.

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said he doesn't think the housing is a good idea because of the rural location and limited resources. He said he's coordinating a safety response in the event of an emergency with the Department of Corrections.

There has been public outcry over the two-story home set on a 15-acre property in the 2800 block of 140th Avenue SW in Tenino.

At the heart of this is a community concerned about safety. Nearly a dozen community members told KOMO News they have safety concerns and feel blindsided.

In Washington state, such transitional housing is considered a Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA). LRA houses residents by court order who have served their sentences. They are approved for homes like the one in Tenino to serve out their civil commitment.

The Tenino location is approved for up to five level 3 sex offenders.

RELATED | Sex offenders delaying McNeil Island release at big cost to taxpayers

Community members have been outspoken at meetings and online, worried about safety and emergency response because level 3 sex offenders are considered most likely to re-offend.

Residents told KOMO News it was not until Jan. 11 that they learned about the LRA and its potential residents via a community Facebook post, and insisted once they attended a meeting to learn more, they were left with more questions than answers.

Supreme Living LLC, a residential care services company is contracted with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services to operate the home. It's up to companies to determine how they notify the public.

Both Sanders and residents told KOMO News Supreme Living "didn't do a good job of communicating" or answering their safety concerns.

At a recent meeting, Sheriff Sanders told KOMO News some people asked him what would happen if they blocked residents from moving in.

The Sheriff posted his response on Instagram and stated he didn't want to see 'negative retaliation'.

"This is obviously a super negative issue, no one is happy...we are on your side there is always a right way to do things," said Sanders. The sheriff said what separates us from them is a moral compass that guides us. He praised community members who put their energy towards work on a playground that neighbors the site. Residents say it's been in the works for more than a year.

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"Don't house them in rural areas where there are no resources, no bus line ,no grocery store, or mental health facility nearby," said Sarah Fox, who lives near the site. "It's not acceptable to do it three weeks before move-in, the secure fence behind us (surrounding the property) is not very secure. There is no high-speed internet. I'm worried about our community's safety."

KOMO News reached out to Supreme Living's CEO Monday for comment but hasn’t heard back.

Washington State Representative Dan Griffey of the 35th Legislative District said there is legislation in the early stages being drafted not aimed at replacing LRAs with one facility owned and operated by the state for residents leaving McNeil Island to complete their civil commitment. He said legislation being drafted would impose stronger requirements for public notice and public comment for privately operated group homes that house sex offenders deemed dangerous by the state.

Rep. Griffey said he's unaware of any wrongdoing with regard to public notification, but insisted residents felt blindsided and should have more opportunity for public comment.

Residents said they're taking their concerns to Olympia and plan to rally on the Capitol steps Thursday at 4:30 . The Sheriff said after meeting with the Department of Corrections and DSHS, he plans to hold a community information meeting with those agencies sometime on Saturday and is now working on the details.